About Big Buddha Films

Big Buddha Films is UK based independent film company that focuses on making films with a strong female voice, that tackle human dilemmas, and show the vulnerabilities of human existence.

We look at how individuals respond to challenges and difficulties, and just to each other. Our films have screened at film festivals all over the world, and received many nominations and awards.

Debbie Howard

Director/Writer/Producer

Big Buddha Films was set up by Debbie Howard in 2006. Debbie's aim is to make powerful and provocative films with a strong female presence.

Debbie was an actor for over 25 years and her passion has always been film. As she grew older she realised that women’s roles became even more scarce and insubstantial. It was this that drove her to start writing her own scripts, with strong roles for women, but issues that interest everyone.

She has made many shorts to date, both fiction and documentary and is now completing her first feature documentary, Still loved.

Debbie is also an Associate Lecturer at Hallam University in Sheffield where she teaches Acting for Screen.

She has a passion (or slight obsession) for lindy hopping and spends many hours a week on the dance floor.

See Debbie talk about her work here on the Spirit of Independence TV show for Sheffield Live:

Polly Perkins

Producer

Since graduating with a 1st degree in Film Theory and Production, Polly has worked on a variety of TV and Film projects, such as Channel Four’s TFI Friday and Reg Travis’s reknowned short, Self Help. She has developed an expertise in project management and practical creativity.

Her recent focus on publicity and PR, whilst working in Development & Marketing for Studio of the North, means she offers us a complete package of both focused industry knowledge of Exhibition and Distribution and broader skills and contacts. She also lectures on Film Production on Undergraduate and MA courses.

Polly is also a singer in a fantastic funky band called Man Bites Fridge and can be seen strutting her stuff on stage regularly.

New films in the pipeline

Still Loved

Feature documentary about stillbirth and baby loss. See the website for more info.

Big Buddha's films have featured at the following film festivals:

Children's Film Festival SeattleREDCAT International Film Festival Los AngelesEncounters, BristolClaremont FerrandCannes Film FestivalHeart of England Film FestivalFemale Eye Film Festival, TorontoLondon Independent Film FestivalNew York City Downtown Film FestivalKino Film Festival, ManchesterKent Film Festival, CanadaAesthetica Film FestivalMilwaukee Film FestivalCornwall Film FestivalRincon Film Festival, Puerto RicoSwansea Bay Film FestivalBuffalo Niagra Film Festival, Cananda LA Women's International Film FestivalWood Green Short Film Festival, LondonBootleg Film FestivalEnd of the Pier Film FestivalHull Film FestivalCAN Leicester International Film Festival England Deep Fried Film Festival, Scotland Remote Control, London Shortwave, London East End Film Festival, London Girls on Film, ManchesterRotoreliefs, LondonAppledore Film FestivalTabor Film Festival, CroatiaPortobello Film Festival, London Angel Film Festival, LondonThe Green Room Ultra Indie, Edinburgh Canary Wharf Film Festival, LondonCrystal PalaceVenus RisingFinal CutExposeFD4W Film FestivalWorld of WomenPortland Oregan Women's Film FestivalCinefringe, EdinburghBlue Plum, Tennessee Glimmer Film FestivalKerry Film FestivalUnderwireChapel Allerton Film Festival Worldkids Film Festiival, IndiaBang Film FestivalAmerican OnLine Film Awards, New YorkShowcommotion

Also screened on:

Propeller TVBBC Film NetworkBBC Big Screen, various cities across the UKEncounters Solar Powered outdoor screenings in parks, BristolAs a part of art installations at galleries